Cold Kiwi
32nd Annual Cold Kiwi Rally
Sept 1st, 2006
by John Archer, Waiouru
....Many were keen to have their picture taken by their bikes. The bikes reflected their craftsmanship, their dreams, their journey through life, their identity. A Harley with huge bars, a tiny trail bike with that booming stereo in its oil drum trailer, a giant streamlined motor scooter, gleaming goat's eyes on the front of 'Black Betty.'

Half a dozen larger tents were dotted around the valley floor. Dominating them was a huge tavern marquee, with a band, a bar and food facilities, and then there were the emblazoned tents of the Sulphur City and Big Lake Motorcycle Clubs. A peddler's tent was full of bike-brand belt buckles and t-shirts. Not far away were the enclaves of St John's Ambulance and the Air Training Corps boys from Feilding who were working diligently to keep the area clear of litter.
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....At a prudent distance from these tents, an enormous pile of dead pine branches had been piled up to keep the area warm for the coming evening entertainment. A hundred yards away was a big pile of ashes. "They had a pretty good bonfire last night too," confided Dave Huria. A large, elaborately equipped camper's tent did not win the approval of some bikers. Its occupant had not shared in their unifying rite of journeying the open road. "He brought that tent and his bike here on the back of a ute. It's not the same," explained a butcher who had ridden down from Hamilton. "At some gatherings they only allow bikes into the camping area.

But the effete pretenders were few in numbers, and the hardy riders were rewarded with a fine sunny weekend. This was the 32nd Cold Kiwi weekend organised by the Ruapehu Motor Cycle Club. All credit must go to Mike Maru and his team of workers, to farmer Ted Bates for giving access to the site, and to the land's Maori owners.

John Archer, Sept 2006